The British Wharf

The British Wharf or Muelle Inglés in Spanish, has been with us for a very long time.  When I first came to Panama City in 1962 from the banana plantations of Bocas del Toro, the dock was already there.  In fact, there were only two wharves in the bay, (e.g., The British and the Fiscal Wharf).

When the Cinta Costera was built under the administration of Martin Torrijos Espino (2004-2009), the Fiscal Wharf was demolished and its services were transferred to the nearby British Wharf.

Very little is known about this pier, except that in the morning of February 23, 1915, a group of 53 policemen and four officers departed from this dock  in Panama City on board the steamship “Veraguas” under the command of General Manuel Quintero Villarreal and the Governor of the Province of Panama, Rodolfo Estripeau.

After 44 hours of sailing, General Quintero and his men arrived at former Rabo de Puerco (today known as Puerto Armuelles).  Other than this brief historic passage of the dock linked to the Guerra de Coto with Costa Rica, the rest of the history of the pier, has been devoured by the passing of time.

Under the administration of Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, the British Wharf was totally restored to serve the growing needs of the city dwellers.  Panama was growing very fast and the installations were literally falling apart.  The maritime authorities selected an elegant design with bright colors for the new building which enhances the overall beauty of the city.

The dock serves the needs of the adjacent seafood market which is visited by thousands of consumers every day, specially during Easter Week when Roman Catholics include fish in their meals as part of their religious faith.

Below are several pictures of the restored British Wharf.  Here we go.

Snapshot of the Muelle Inglés before it was restored by the administration of Ricardo Martinelli. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the entrance of the new building of British Wharf with a modern design and bright colors. Many Panamanians use these facilities to travel by boat to the islands of the Archpiélago de las Perlas and the Province of Darién. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Take notice of the modern design of the modern building recently restored to serve the needs of the seafood market and the passengers who travels to the islands of the bay and the Province of Darién. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

If you love lines in a photograph, this picture is for you. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the waiting room where passengers wait for their vessels to leave for the islands of the bay or the ports of Darién. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

If you happen to know more about this historic dock, I would appreciate if you would share this information with us.  Capturing history is vital in keeping the traditions and cultural background of our countries.  Good Day.

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A City By The Bay

Panama City is the capital of the Republic of Panama, a small country located in Central America.  Since its discovery in 1501, this narrow isthmus was destined to become a hub for international commerce.  The Kings of Spain were fully aware of this fact and took full advantage by using Panama City as its main commercial settlement in the New World.

The United States also saw the potential of Panama as a strategic spot to build a military canal to move its navy  from one ocean to the other, thus increasing its military power during the beginning of the Twentieth Century.  The Panama Canal has played an important part in the history of Panama and a vital economic resource.

Panama City is located on the Pacific Ocean bathed by the calm waters of the Panama Bay.  A scenic highway borders the city next to the bay.  This area became one the most modern sections of Panama City, after the building of the Cinta Costera (Coastal Strip) which was recently expanded to reach the Old Shell (Casco Viejo).  A third expansion is in the works to extend the Coastal Strip to El Chorrillo where a modern convention center will be built in the near future.

Exercising while breathing fresh air from the ocean is one the favorites activities of many Panamanians.  You can see whole families walking through the Cinta Costera during the weekends.  It’s the place to be and to take photographs, if you ask me.  I was there last week because I wanted to see the recently built expansion of the Cinta Costera.  It was an exciting photo walk.

Below are some of the pictures of the Panama Bay and Punta Paitilla taken from the Cinta Costera.  It was an early Sunday morning and the color of the sky was absolutely gorgeous.  Please enjoy the calm waters of the bay and the soft tones of blue, both of the ocean and the sky.  Here we go.

Photograph of the calm waters of Panama Bay with Punta Paitilla in the background towards your left. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of Punta Paitilla in the background and the Muelle Inglés where fishing vessels supply fresh fish and other marine products to the Seafood Market. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

View of the Panama Bay on the Pacific Ocean in front of the Balboa Avenue in Panama City, Panama. Take notice of the small fishing boats floating on the water.  Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the Panama Bay in front of Panama City, Panama. The pictures were taken early in the morning before the sun was up.  Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the Muelle Inglés (British Pier) with its bright red roof. This small pier is located next to the Panama Seafood Market. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Another picture of the small pier with the modern buildings of Punta Paitilla in the background. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

If you enjoy walking near the sea, or in some way or another related to the sea, I know you will find these pictures familiar.  Good Day.

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